India concerned about continuing stalemate in West Asia
By IANSFriday, January 28, 2011
NEW DELHI - India is concerned about the continued stalemate between the feuding parties in the Palestinian dispute, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said here Friday.
The continued stalemate in the situation and hardening of positions is a matter of concern, Ahamed said in a speech on the occasion of the International Solidarity Day with Palestinians.
As a responsible member of the international community and as a country with long-established ties with West Asia, India desires to see a peaceful resolution to tensions in the region through peaceful dialogue, Ahmed said, reiterating India’s long standing position.
India has supported and will always support the Palestinian people in their pursuit of legitimate goals and quest for development based on dignity and self-reliance, he added.
The minister added that it was in the interest of international community that a lasting solution is found resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, side by side and at peace with the state of Israel.
He reminded people that India was the first non-Arab state to recognise the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1975.
The Indian government has built the building of embassy of Palestine as a gift to the Palestinian people, besides financial grants made frequently towards reconstruction and development.
Under the IBSA Fund, along with Brazil and South Africa, we are implementing a sports complex in Ramallah, said Ahmed.
